Kennedy Park

A 42-year-old man from Ireland diedfrom injuries suffered in a crash Thursday in the Kennedy Park neighborhood, authorities said. Daniel Martin crashed a Chevrolet Astrovan into a Jeep Cherokee in the 2700 block of West 115th Street about 6:20 p.m. Thursday and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was declared dead, police said. Martin, who was visiting Chicago from Ireland, died from multiple injuries from the crash, the Cook County medical examiner's office...

After unanimously approving its $85 million budget for 2014, the Highland Park City Council next turns its attention to the property tax levy increase on Monday - a discussion that could prove more contentious. As presented to the City Council, the 2014 budget represented no levy increase for operations. But now the council must decide how to fund its rising pension obligations, as well as $365,000 in proposed capital improvements to the library. The city's portion of the property...

About three dozen residents turned out Wednesday night to listen to a discussion of preliminary plans for a new skating park proposed by the Roselle Park District. Board President Lee Simone said the purpose of the meeting was to form an advisory committee and assess community interest in such a project. The Park District also would like to find another governing body willing to go in on the project, Simone said. Parks Director Diane McCray said the board...

A 42-year-old man from Ireland diedfrom injuries suffered in a crash Thursday in the Kennedy Park neighborhood, authorities said. Daniel Martin crashed a Chevrolet Astrovan into a Jeep Cherokee in the 2700 block of West 115th Street about 6:20 p.m. Thursday and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was declared dead, police said. Martin, who was visiting Chicago from Ireland, died from multiple injuries from the crash, the Cook County medical examiner's office...

Tired of staring at that Christmas tree with its brittle branches and constantly dropping needles? Take it to a tree-recycling center on Saturday. The City of Chicago is taking trees at 23 locations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of its annual recycling program. Each participant will get, in exchange, 52 blue bags to use in Chicago's recycling program, while supplies last. At the sites, the city also will give away bags of mulch and blue spruce saplings. The average Christmas...

Chicagoans are being urged to hold on to their natural Christmas trees just a little bit longer, for a good cause. Instead of tossing trees into the trash, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation wants residents this weekend to trade in their Christmas tree for an environmentally friendly product. People who drop off trees at any of the 23 Chicago-area recycling centers from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday will receive a free bag of scented mulch and a choice of a compact...

If all the programs offered by the Evergreen Park Recreation Department aren`t enough to keep them occupied, residents also have access to seven parks. Park grounds cover more than 20 acres, says Street Commissioner Edward Schuth. Some of the offerings include: -- Duffy Memorial Park, 92d Street and Ridgeway Avenue, is the largest in the village at 9 1/2 acres. Its facilities include two tennis courts, four baseball diamonds, a basketball court, a winter ice-skating rink, two...

Tired of staring at that Christmas tree with its brittle branches and constantly dropping needles? Take it to a tree-recycling center on Saturday. The City of Chicago is taking trees at 23 locations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of its annual recycling program. Each participant will get, in exchange, 52 blue bags to use in Chicago's recycling program, while supplies last. At the sites, the city also will give away bags of mulch and blue spruce saplings. The average Christmas...

Christmas tree recycling will take place at 21 city parks on Jan. 8, Mayor Richard Daley's office announced over the weekend. Recycling sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All wires, tinsel and other decorations must be removed from trees ahead of time to avoid damaging the chipping machines. Residents can keep the mulch from their trees or donate it to the city for tree-planting uses, according to the mayor's office. The Christmas tree recycling sites are:...

For the 13th year, the Streets and Sanitation Department is encouraging families to give their Christmas trees a second life as mulch, which can be used in gardens year-round. Trees that have been stripped of decorations, including tinsel and wire, can be recycled at 20 local parks Jan. 5. "You took this beautiful tree, you cut it down, you used it for your enjoyment, but it doesn't end there," said Matt Smith, a spokesman for the Streets and Sanitation Department....

Eugene J. Payne, 70, a 40-year veteran of the Chicago Park District known for his smile and warm conversation skills, died Saturday at his home in Alsip. "He was always trying to make someone happy, he was always trying to make someone laugh," said his son Robert. After moving to the Beverly neighborhood in 1966, Mr. Payne started his own Little League baseball team at Kennedy Park, where he stressed having fun and good sportsmanship. "To him, it wasn't about winning, it was about team play," his son said.

Eugene J. Payne, 70, a 40-year veteran of the Chicago Park District known for his smile and warm conversation skills, died Saturday at his home in Alsip. "He was always trying to make someone happy, he was always trying to make someone laugh," said his son Robert. After moving to the Beverly neighborhood in 1966, Mr. Payne started his own Little League baseball team at Kennedy Park, where he stressed having fun and good sportsmanship. "To him, it wasn't about winning, it was about team play," his son said.

About three dozen residents turned out Wednesday night to listen to a discussion of preliminary plans for a new skating park proposed by the Roselle Park District. Board President Lee Simone said the purpose of the meeting was to form an advisory committee and assess community interest in such a project. The Park District also would like to find another governing body willing to go in on the project, Simone said. Parks Director Diane McCray said the board...

Morgan Park softball coach Adria Mott knows what her team will be up against when it takes on Bogan in the Public League semifinals in Grant Park Thursday. "I coached at Bogan, and I know they are always tough," said Mott after Morgan Park (14-2) beat Lindblom 11-3 at Grant Park Wednesday. Bogan routed Corliss 15-5 in another quarterfinal. The winner of their game will meet Senn for the title Friday at Thillen's Stadium, Devon and Kedzie, at 1 p.m. The Public League champion goes to...

Chicagoans are being urged to hold on to their natural Christmas trees just a little bit longer, for a good cause. Instead of tossing trees into the trash, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation wants residents this weekend to trade in their Christmas tree for an environmentally friendly product. People who drop off trees at any of the 23 Chicago-area recycling centers from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday will receive a free bag of scented mulch and a choice of a compact...

At the sight of 11 yellow school buses parked near Kennedy Park in Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood, one might reasonably expect to see hundreds of children roaming the open fields. A few dozen children were indeed at play there, but it was folks of a different age group who came to celebrate at a recent muggy occasion. The event was one of Mayor Richard M. Daley's 1995 Senior Citizen Picnics, and more than 1,000 came to this location for free food, music and games. Some sat in the large bingo tent and...